The Wei Family#

Surname: Wei, pronounced as “wéi”

Distribution of the Wei Family#

Jingzhao Commandery: This commandery was established during the Qin Dynasty, where an official known as the “Neishi” was appointed to govern the capital (the area around present-day Xianyang, Shaanxi Province). During the Han Dynasty, it was divided into three administrative regions: Jingzhao Yin, Zuo Fengyi, and You Fufeng. During the Wei Dynasty, it was renamed Jingzhao Commandery, with its administrative center located in Chang’an (northwest of present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province). This name continued to be used during the Three Kingdoms period.

Origins of the Wei Family#

There are several theories about the origin of the “Wei” surname:

1. Some believe it derived from the “Qi” surname, with the family name being based on a former state name. According to the “Tongzhi • Shizu Lue,” during the Xia Dynasty, it was associated with the “Yulong” clan; during the Shang Dynasty, it was associated with the “Shiwei” clan. The “Tang Shu • Zaixiang Shixi Biao” also mentions that the Shiwei state (south of present-day Huaxian, Henan Province) gave rise to the Wei family.

2. Another theory suggests that during the Han Dynasty, the Shule state also had members of the Wei clan. According to the “Han Shu • Xiyu Chuan,” this is possible.

3. There is a legend that during the Qin and Han periods, Han Xin fled to southern Guangdong (the area of present-day Guangdong and Guangxi) to avoid enemies and adopted the character “Wei” as his surname, which is half of the character “Han.” Many members of the Tong ethnic group in Guangxi today have the Wei surname.

4. It is also said that Dapeng, a descendant of Zhuanxu, was a vassal of the Xia Dynasty. Shao Kang granted his grandson, Yuanzhe, the territory of Shiwei, which later became the Wei state. Yuanzhe is considered the ancestor of the Wei family. The Wei family, along with the Qian and Peng families, share the same ancestry and originated in the early Shang Dynasty, with their roots in present-day Huaxian, Henan Province.

Ancestor of the Wei Family

Yuanzhe was the fourth-generation descendant of Pengzu (the fifth-generation descendant of Zhuanxu, who was in turn the third-generation descendant of the Yellow Emperor). Therefore, the Wei family is considered a descendant of the Yellow Emperor. They share the same ancestry as the Qian and Peng families and originated in the early Shang Dynasty.

Migration and Spread

Weixian, a fourth-generation descendant of Wei Meng, was granted the title of Fuyang Jiehou and later moved to Duling in Jingzhao. As a result, during the Han Dynasty, the Wei family began to spread throughout Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, and other regions. During the Three Kingdoms, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties, while some Wei family members migrated south to avoid wars, most continued to thrive in their original homes. The “Jingzhao Commandery” became a major source of the Wei family lineage. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the Wei family flourished particularly in the area around Jingzhao (Shaanxi). Notable Wei figures from this period include Wei Yingwu and Wei Zhuang. Many prominent Wei families lived in Chang’an, Shaanxi, which led to the establishment of the town of Weiqu. During the Five Dynasties, Ten Kingdoms, Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties, some Wei family members migrated south, but the majority remained in the north, making it a typical northern surname.

Clan Halls

• Fuyang Hall: This hall is named after Wei Xian, a Confucian scholar from the Western Han Dynasty who served as prime minister and was granted the title of Fuyang Hou.
• Jingzhao Hall: After the Three Kingdoms period, the Wei family became prominent in Shaanxi, and the “Jingzhao” name was adopted as a clan hall.
• Other common clan halls include “Chuanjing Hall,” “Yijing Hall,” “Yanyi Hall,” and “Chongde Hall.”

Notable People with the Wei Surname

• Wei Zhao (204–273): A scholar from Yunyang, Wu (present-day Danyang, Jiangsu Province). He was known for his knowledge and writings and was killed for speaking out against Emperor Sun Hao.
• Wei Zhuang: A poet from Duling, Former Shu (present-day southeast of Chang’an, Shaanxi Province). He served as a minister and played a key role in establishing the state of Shu.
• Wei Guifei: A noblewoman from Jingzhao Duling (present-day Shaanxi Province), one of the highest-ranking women in the Northern Zhou Dynasty.
• Wei Yingwu and Wei Zhuang were famous poets from the Tang Dynasty.

Population and Distribution

Today, the Wei family is most prevalent in provinces such as Guangxi and Henan, accounting for about 67% of the total Han Chinese population with this surname. It ranks 122nd among the most common surnames in China, with a population of approximately 0.11% of the total Han Chinese population.

The Wei family has a long history and a rich cultural heritage, with various clan halls reflecting its historical significance.